Quick answer
The Family Reunification Visa (general scheme) allows family members of a foreigner legally residing in Spain to join them, provided the resident has obtained an initial family reunification authorization [1][3]. This visa is not for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens [2]. Eligible family members include the spouse or registered/unregistered partner (only one) [4][5], children under 18 or with disabilities [6], and parents over 65 who are dependent, with possible exceptions for humanitarian reasons [7][8]. Required documents include a completed application form, photo, valid passport, the initial reunification permit, the resident's residence card, proof of family relationship, a criminal record check (with apostille and translation), a medical certificate, proof of residence in the consular district, and payment of the visa fee [10][20][24][32]. The application is submitted in person by appointment after emailing documents to the consulate . Refusals can be appealed .
Key facts
| Required documents | Valid passport, national visa application form, original and copy of initial family reunification permit, applicant's residence card, criminal record certificate, medical certificate, proof of residence in consular district, visa fee payment.[17] |
Am I eligible?
Family Reunification Visa (General Scheme)
- Applicant must have a valid, unexpired passport with biometric data.
- Applicant must have a national visa application form completed and signed.
- Applicant must have original and copy of the initial family reunification permit issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in Spain.
- Applicant must have a residence card.
- Applicant must provide a criminal record certificate from country of residence (e.g., ACRO for UK) with legalisation and sworn translation.
- Applicant must provide a medical certificate stating no diseases with serious public health repercussions, with legalisation and sworn translation.
- Applicant must provide proof of legal residence in the consular district or attendance at classes in person.
- Applicant must pay the visa fee at the time of submission.
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Requirements in detail
Must be spouse, partner, child under 18 or disabled, or dependent parent over 65 of the resident.
Must have been granted by Spanish authorities before applying for the visa.
Passport must be valid for at least 4 months, have two blank pages, and be issued within the last 10 years.
Certificate from countries of residence for the past 5 years, not older than 6 months, legalized/apostilled.
Certificate issued within 3 months stating no diseases with serious public health repercussions.
Fee must be paid in local currency at the time of application.
Must provide proof of legal residence in the consular district or attending classes there.
Documents you'll need
- Completed and signed visa application form [10][11]
- Recent passport-size color photo, glued or clipped to the form [13][14]
- Valid unexpired passport with photocopy of biometric data page [17]
- Initial family reunification permit issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in Spain [20][21]
- Certified photocopy of the resident's Foreigner Identification Card (unexpired) [22][23]
- Documents proving family relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc. [24][27][29]
- Criminal record check from FBI (for US applicants) with Hague Apostille and sworn translation [34]
- Medical certificate stating no diseases with public health repercussions
- Proof of residence in the consular district (e.g., driver's license, state ID, student ID)
- If applicable, proof of representative's identity and capacity
- Payment of visa fee
This list adjusts automatically based on your nationality and category.
How to apply
- 1
- 2
Scan and email all documents to cog.washington.vis@maec.es with subject 'APPOINTMENT REQUEST Given Name FAMILY NAME' .
- 3
Wait for the consulate to schedule an in-person appointment .
- 4
Attend the appointment at the Consular Office to submit the application and pay the fee .
- 5
Track the status using the provided code .
- 6
Collect the visa as instructed .
Frequently asked questions
What documents are required for the family reunification visa?
Required documents include a valid passport, national visa application form, original and copy of the initial family reunification permit, applicant's residence card, criminal record certificate (e.g., ACRO for UK), medical certificate, proof of residence in the consular district, and payment of the visa fee.
Related visas
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
The passport must have a minimum validity period of 4 months and contain two blank pages
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [2]
Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [3]
Among other documents, proof must be provided that, over the past year, the resident has transferred funds to or covered expenses incurred by the parent representing, at least, 51% of the per capita G
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [4]
**Applicants of legal age (18 years old and older) must submit the original and a photocopy (not notarized) of their criminal background check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of re
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [5]
The background check must be issued within the **6 months **preceding the submission of the visa application
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [6]
If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 5 years in **another country** (outside the USA or Spain), an additional criminal background check from every country
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [7]
If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [8]
- The certificate must be issued in the 3 months preceding the submission of the visa application
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [9]
- **Visa application period:** The visa application must be submitted within a period of 2 months, counted as of the day after the date on which the applicant is notified of the decision to authorize
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [10]
- **Decision period:** The legal period for reaching a decision is of 2 months as of the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional docume
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [11]
- **Appeals:** If a visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [12]
- **Validity period of the visa:** The visa will be valid for 1 year
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [13]
Once in Spain, a Foreigner Identification Card must be applied for within a period of 1 month from the applicant's entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the provi
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [14]
Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.** ** This certificate cannot be older than 6 months, unle
General scheme for the family reunification visa · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [15]
This certificate must be issued by a registered medical practitioner no later than 3 months prior to the date of application, it must be formulated in the following terms or similarly: • If the medica
General scheme for the family reunification visa · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [16]
- **Collecting the visa:** The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day aft
General scheme for the family reunification visa · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [17]
- **Validity period of the visa:** The visa will be valid for 90 days
General scheme for the family reunification visa · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [18]
Definition of family reunification visa
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [19]
Exclusion for EU/EEA/Swiss family members
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [20]
Requirement of initial residence authorization
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [21]
Eligible family members: spouse/partner
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [22]
Eligible family members: children
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [23]
Eligible family members: parents
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [24]
Required documents: application form, photo, passport
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [25]
Required documents: initial reunification permit and resident's card
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [26]
Required documents: proof of family relationship
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [27]
Required documents: criminal record check
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [28]
Required documents: medical certificate
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [29]
Required documents: proof of residence in consular district
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [30]
Required documents: proof of representative's identity
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [31]
Required documents: visa fee payment
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [32]
Procedure: submission and appointment
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [33]
Procedure: rectification and collection
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [34]
Procedure: refusal and appeals
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [35]
Required documents
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked
This page reflects Spain's officially published requirements as of the dates above. It is not legal advice, and final approval is solely at the discretion of Spain's immigration authorities. For a case-specific compliance check against your own documents, try VisaBook free.